Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-05-04

Testimony I'm the Case Of Mis~ McBrics
Her Insurance Claim.

Testimony I'm the Case Of Miss Mcbride
Her Insurance Claim.
Yesterday, after THE STARS report closed, the
trial OF Mary J. Mcbride and Jno. W. Mcfarland
on the charge OF arson In setting fire 20 the house
No. SIS nth street, June 30 last was continued
j. n. Lennon, OF No. Engine Co, testified that
his company went out before the alarm was
sounded. He found lamp-wick fuse leading TO a
cupboard filled with papers and shucks saturated
with oil He found also the mattress saturated
with Oil
Jas G. Belt, OF No. Co., testified that he was
the first fireman 10 enter the back room on the
main Moor. He found some paper under a wash
board and a hole I'm the partition. on cross
examination witness said that the hole which
was about 3 inches in diameter, may have been
made by rat.
Arthur Payne testified that two or three weeks
before the fire. at the request OF Mcfarland, he as
sisted In taking furniture from the house by the
way OF the back alley. Mcfarland said that IL
was set OF furniture belonging To a member OF
Congress; the latter was going To move. and the
furniture was 10 be taken TO house on street.
Carrie Grif1ith residing al 1904 street, testified
to Mcfarland renting room there TO store furni-
ture in.
Clement W. Howard, secretary OF the Firemens
Insurance Co., testified that Miss Mcbride called
at the ONCE OF the company and presented let
ter, and inquired what was necessary for her TO
secure the insurance on her furniture. as she had
mislaid her policy. He told her what was requi-
were still warm. and found very little furniture
inside. There was some in the street. but nothing
like SUFFICIENT to cover the Furnishing OF the house.
The Government offered in evidence the letter
presented TO Mr.. Howard, for the purpose OF show
Ing that few days after the lire Miss Mcbride
claimed the insurance on the furniture.
Col. Cook objected, and thought that the point
might as well be met there as al any time.
Justice Montgomery said that the question went
to the heart OF the case.
Col. Cook thought decision upon this point
might determine the trial
The district attorney said IL the objection is sus-
tanned he would not ask for any verdict from the
jury.
Col. Cook insisted upon his objection, and the
question was argued until the hour OF adjourn
ment.
PROCEEDINGS TO-DAY
The trial was resumed this morning and the
argument on the admission OF the letter in evil
dence was resumed.
Judge Montgomery overruled the objection and
an exception was noted.
Mcbride, dated July 3, 1886, notifying the Fire
mems Insurance Co. OF the fire and that, as she
was in no wise responsible for it, she looked TO
them for reparation was read, which letter, the
witness said, he had received.
On croSS-eXamination witness said Mcfarland
was not insured Witness stated that he gave her
a copy OF the conditions OF the policy, and told
her that nothing would be paid Till this matter
was cleared up.
she received letter by Anna Thornton, signed by
Mrs Duke, directed TO Mcfarland thanking him
for storing the furniture with such people;
The Government said they expected 10 show that
this was in Miss McBrideS handwriting.
The letter was ruled out
The witness on further questioning testified that
the letter was brought to the house by Mcfarland.
Mr. Taylor, for Mcfarland objected TO any tes-
tmOny on this subject, on the ground that the
letter was given up by Mcfarland on the promise
or the officers that il would not be used against
him. and he had the officer present.
Mr.. Worthington said that he had. repudiated
all arrangements and presented the case to the
defendant lad tied
guilt but denied IL.
The court overruled the objection.
Witness proceeded, and said Mcfarland had a
bedroom set at the house on L street, a large
trunk with some carpets. and toilet set. Miss
Mcbride came to the house on the Friday after the
fire. There was a piow-caSe 1ull OF papers when
the furniture was brought there. Mr. Mcfarland
was brought TO the house with Detective kaff and
Others, and the papers were taken away. Mr..
Williams TOOK the furniture. There We're IA lot OF
lace curtains and a gas stove and fixtures. Miss
Mcbride took away the bed linen. trunk and a
satchel about two weeks aiterward.
on croSS-eXamination, witness said that McFar.
land came to the place with 4 colured man, who
had the trunk and valise in push-cart.
Anna Wilson testified that She was the sister OF
Carrie Griffith, and corroborated her statements
as to furniture being brought TO the house on L
street. Mcfarland rented the room, saying ii was
for a white lady friend OF his from Mississippi.
When Miss Mcbride came she said the things mad
been in "A room She did not USE, and when She
went to II the things were gone. 1t was after the
fire she came there, and she said she wanted the
articles
on cross-examnation by Mr. Taylor witness
said before the room was opened Miss Mcbride
said she had curtains and other things there.
By Mr.. CoOk-When Miss Mcbride was told Of
the things In the room she exclaimed, ''My God y
in establishment.
Re-direct-A gentleman was with Miss Mcbride
when she first came; recognized TX. A. McMurray
as the person.
Robert IL. Hazard. assistant secretary OF the
Flremens Insurance Co., produced the book con-
tanning memorandum OF policy issued March "a
on household furniture In dwelling 5l5 18th street
for $1,000.